How Essential Oils Are Prepared In Sicily (and Why They Are Good)

The citrus orchard in the province of Palermo in Italy occupies extremely fertile soil. The temperate Mediterranean climate and the convenient location of the island of Sicily have created excellent conditions for growing citrus trees. Almost 175,000 hectares of the Italian island are covered with citrus groves, and the fruit is harvested three times a year. It is due to their organoleptic properties that they are in great demand in cosmetology and perfumery.

The family company Agrumari Corleone, founded at the end of the 19th century by Salvatore Corleone, pioneered the lemon industry on the Sicilian coast and is still a rare gem with its tradition, high quality and uniqueness of the product. AgrumariCorleone citruses have earned recognition not only in the food industry (read also: "9 citruses that deserve a place in your refrigerator"), but also in the cosmetic industry. The Weled company has been cooperating with the Corleone family for a long time, and takes as the basis of its beauty products the most useful from Sicily - the essential oil of the best citrus of the island.

It all starts with citrus

Citrus fruits were brought to the Mediterranean Sea back in the 12th century from Arabia. It has long been known that lemon is one of the richest sources of vitamin C. It energizes us, improves immunity, gives courage and good mood. Centuries ago, people found out that the essential oils that make up lemon can be used to maintain beauty, because they have no equal in cleansing and toning the skin.

Citrus plantations grow special varieties of lemons: Femminello and Monachello. The first variety has been known since ancient times, and its fruits have specific taste qualities. Monachello is more whimsical and not so widespread, but the value is not inferior to Femminello.

“We are proud to be developing a family business in Sicily that has been handed down from generation to generation since 1890,” says CEO Vincenzo Corleone. "It is distinguished by the special quality of citrus fruits and the spread of their aromas and tastes around the globe."

Sicilian ether

The preparation of an essential oil is a delicate process that receives special attention. When AgrumariCorleone began taking its first steps in citrus processing, consumer demand existed only for lemon oil, which was extracted by hand from the peel of the fruit. They were cut in half, the pulp was removed, and then the oil from the empty peel (read also: "Olive oil for skin and hair: 5 beauty life hacks").

Today, the process of extracting essential oil is automated and allows you to process much more precious citrus fruits. At each stage of production, a quality control system is established, in which Weleda experts participate. However, the Demeter biodynamic certification that the gardens of the Corleone family have received leaves no doubt that each fruit grown meets the highest quality requirements and has absorbed all the juice of the Sicilian sun.

The fact is that only companies that meet biodynamic farming standards receive this certification. They assume an ecological approach to production and its maximum integration into the ecosystem of the surrounding nature. In a literal sense, the Demeter certificate guarantees one hundred percent quality to the consumer, and in the case of Weled, only the vivid sensations of the brand's citrus line from the very heart of Sicily.

Weled Citrus Refreshing Body Oil